Romans 9:1-13 ▼

1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, [separated] from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the [temple] service and the promises,

5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

6 But [it is] not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are [descended] from Israel;

7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: |THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.|

8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

9 For this is the word of promise: |AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.|

10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived [twins] by one man, our father Isaac;

11 for though [the twins] were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to [His] choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,

12 it was said to her, |THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.|

13 Just as it is written, |JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.|